Attorney
Personal Injury Lawyers On How To Help Prevent Spinal Cord Injury
SERVING THE AREAS OF WASHINGTON, D.C., VIRGINIA AND MARYLAND
Spinal cord injury prevention is not something most people ever think about—until a catastrophic accident occurs. As Washington, D.C. personal injury attorneys, we work with people who are dealing with spinal cord injuries, their families and caregivers every day. We hear their stories, we admire the strength of the survivors and we respect the work that dedicated caregivers offer.
No one can change the past, but it is common for families to wonder what could have been done differently that might have prevented the accident completely or reduced the resulting injury. These families want to tell other people what to do to help reduce incidents of spinal injury. With that in mind, let us offer some tips to prevent spinal cord injury based on some of the real cases we have seen and handled in our practice.
Steps to Take to Help Prevent Spinal Cord Injury from Car Wrecks and Pedestrian Accidents
- Always wear a seat belt while driving. Babies must be secured in a child seat at all times. Young children should use a car booster seat until they are big enough to properly wear seat belts. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has a website for parents about how to choose proper child seats, as well as a place to receive notices of car seat safety recalls.
- Never drink and drive, even if you think you are under the legal limit. The possible consequences of a drunk driving accident are not worth it!
- Never text and drive or otherwise use a cell phone while driving. Many accident reports suggest that distracted driving is becoming an even larger problem in this country than drunk driving.
- Pedestrian accidents often result in serious injury, including paralysis. When walking, especially around Washington, D.C., never jaywalk. Do not have both headphones in while crossing the street or while riding a bicycle. If you must listen to music, keep one earphone out at all times to hear traffic.
What to Do to Prevent Spinal Cord Injury from Swimming and Diving Accidents
- Diving accidents are a common cause of spinal cord injury in pools or bodies of water that are more shallow than the diver expected.
- Only dive headfirst into pools specially made deep enough for diving.
- Never dive headfirst into a natural body of water.
- Watch children closely, have them take swimming lessons if possible and teach them these pool safety rules.
- Alcohol and pool parties or boating do not mix. Many spinal cord accidents that happen to adults from swimming or diving also involved alcohol.
How to Prevent Spinal Cord Injuries from Slip and Fall Accidents
- Be particularly careful when walking on snow, ice and sleet. Wear proper snow boots in winter. Slip and fall accidents are the number one cause of traumatic brain injury, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- If you are older and/or have trouble on your feet, use a cane, walker or scooter to help you get around, particularly outside. The CDC notes that one out of three elderly people sustains a fall each year.
Washington, D.C. Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Can Help You Get Compensation
Our Washington, D.C. personal injury law firm offers free, no-obligation case reviews for people harmed in accidents that resulted in serious injuries. People who sustain spinal cord injuries will not only face challenging physical road ahead, but hospitalization, rehabilitation and long-term care is extremely costly.
Have a spinal cord injury lawyer at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis review your situation to see if there is anything we can do to obtain injury compensation for you or your family member. Contact us online or call our office in Washington, D.C., Fairfax or Greenbelt, Maryland to schedule a free consultation today.